4* Short breaks to Rome from London Gatwick Apt
4* Short breaks to Rome from London Gatwick Apt
Description
Rome Highlights...
- Lively Nights
- Local Markets
- Good for Couples
- Ancient Sites
- Traditional Building
- Enjoyable Walks
- Museums
- Places to Explore
- Good Shopping
- Dining Out
- Romantic
- Scenic Location
- Local Character
- Plenty to do
- Local History
- Bistros & Cafés
- Transfer in 1hr
The legendary beginnings of Rome are related in the tale of Romulus and Remus. Princess Rhea Silvia, ravished by Mars (the God of War), gave birth to the twins and abandoned them to fate. The River Tiber carried them to the Palatine Hill, where a she-wolf mothered the babes until their discovery by a shepherd. Romulus later killed Remus, before going on to found Rome in the marshy lowlands of seven hills. The anniversary of Romes foundation (21 April 753BC) is now marked by a public holiday. The historians version is no less astonishing. It traces the rise of the city from unimportant pastoral settlement (the earliest remains date back to the ninth century BC) to vast empire, ruled over by a string of emperors. Rome saw a second period of development during the 15th-century Renaissance, when the Papacy took up permanent residence in the city. Although Romes power has since waned, the city remains the essence of European civilisation.
Ruins dating from Romes glory days lie within an area known as Roma Antica (Ancient Rome) and include the monumental Colosseum and the Foro Romano (Roman Forum) a crumbling legacy of pagan temples, broken marble and triumphal arches. Buildings from the Renaissance period are concentrated within the centro storico (historic centre), situated between Via del Corso and the Tevere (River Tiber). Here, a labyrinth of narrow, winding, cobbled side streets opens out onto magnificent piazzas presided over by Baroque churches, regal palaces and exquisite fountains. The romantic Piazza Navona with Berninis Fountain of the Four Rivers, Piazza di Spagna and the sweeping Spanish Steps, and the Trevi Fountain immortalised by Fellinis La Dolce Vita (1959), all lie within walking distance of each other. Modern life continues amid this theatre of breathtaking monuments, as thousands of years of history are animated by more recent innovations sophisticated boutiques, rowdy pizzerias and a merry-go-round of cars, buses and mopeds. Across the river, to the west, lies the Vatican State home to the Pope and spiritual centre of the Roman Catholic Church. South of the Vatican, one finds the bohemian quarter of Trastevere, packed with trattorie and small wine bars. Further south still is the Testaccio district, renowned for nightclubs and live music.
Tourism is a major source of income and visitors come and go throughout the year. The city is blessed with a warm Mediterranean climate, making Rome particularly pleasant to visit in autumn and spring. In August, it is hot and sticky and most of the locals head for the coast many shops and bars close for the summer break and the streets are strangely empty save for visitors. Until recently, Rome was frequently criticised for being noisy, chaotic and poorly maintained. However, celebrations for the year 2000 prompted the completion of a massive urban renewal scheme. Tons of scaffolding were finally dismantled to reveal beautifully restored facades, cleverly revamped museums and a rationalised public transport system. Today, citizens and visitors alike continue to benefit from the improvements carried out for the Jubilee celebrations, when the Eternal City celebrated the fact that the millennium was 2,000 years since the birth of Christ.
Departure Airport
London Gatwick Airport
Airport Information
Country
United Kingdom (UK)
Address
London Gatwick Airport, West Sussex, RH6 0NP, UK
Country Code
44
Telephone
(0)870 000 2468
Fax
None
gatwick_feedback@baa.com
Website
www.gatwickairport.com
Location
The airport is located 45km (28 miles) south of London
Time Zone
GMT (GMT + 1 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October)
Number of Terminals
2
Transfer between Terminals
There is a free Transit train, which links the North and South terminals 24 hours a day.
Driving Directions
The airport is linked to the M23 motorway. Turn off at junction 9 and follow signs for the airport. London Gatwick is also accessible from the A23 London-Brighton Road.
Car Parking
Each terminal has a short-term car park with direct access to the terminals via covered walkways; these are operated by NCP (tel: (0)870 600 7050; website: www.ncp.co.uk). Long-term parking is also available in car parks further from the terminals; a free shuttle bus runs between the car parks and the terminals. Passengers can book at least 96 hours in advance; this can be done through BAA Advance (tel: (0)870 000 1 000; website: www.baa.com). Valet parking is available and operated by NCP. Chauffeured parking is also available from CPS (tel: (0)870 411 1118; website: www.parkwithcps.com). Vehicle transfer between airports, car valeting/servicing and personal chauffeuring can also be arranged through CPS.
Car Hire
Companies include Avis, Europcar, Hertz, National and Thrifty. Offices are located in designated car rental buildings on the Lower Forecourt Road at both terminals.
Public Transport
Rail: The Gatwick Express train (tel: (0)845 850 1530; website: www.gatwickexpress.co.uk) runs to London Victoria Station (journey time: 30 minutes). There is also a Thameslink (tel: (0)20 7620 6333) service, which runs to London King’s Cross (journey time: 50 minutes) as well as other London stations. Information on all national rail travel is available through the 24-hour National Rail enquiries line (tel: (0)845 748 4950; website: www.nationalrail.co.uk). Road: Limousine: Chauffeur-driven cars are provided by Checker Cars (tel: (0)800 747 737). Coach: There are more than 400 express coach service operating daily from the coach stations at both terminals. The main coach station is located on the ground floor of the South Terminal, with most services operating from here. Principal routes also stop at the North Terminal station. National Express (tel: (0) 870 575 7747; website: www.nationalexpress.com) operate most of the services. National Express no.700 coaches operate to Heathrow Airport, from both terminals. The National Express Shuttle no.025 runs to London Victoria Station. The Gatwick Flyer (tel: (0)1708 730 555) runs to destinations east of London, and coaches operate from the South Terminal station only. There are coach information and ticket desks located in the Arrivals concourse of both terminals. Information on travel to/from the airport is available thought the Airport Travel Line (tel: (0)8705 747 777).
Information and Help Desks
Each Arrivals concourse has an information desk (tel: (0)870 000 2468) where multi-lingual staff are on hand to deal with enquiries 24 hours a day.
Airport Facilities
Money and communications: Both terminals have bureaux de change and ATMs. There is a post office and a 24-hour Internet café in the South Terminal. Wireless Internet connection is also available in the North Terminal. Eating and drinking: There are many restaurants, bars and cafés located in both terminals. Shopping: There are many shops at the airport, including several duty-free outlets. The airport has also recently introduced a home delivery service and a collection service. More information is available from the BAA Shopping Information Line (tel: (0)800 844 844). Luggage: Left-luggage facilities are available in both terminals. A lost property service is also operated by the Excess Baggage Company (tel: (0)1293 503 162). Other facilities: These include baby changing rooms and showers, a children’s play area, a medical centre offering vaccinations (tel: (0)1293 507 400) and prayer rooms.
Conference and Business Facilities
There are business facilities, including telephone, fax, photocopy and secretarial services and conference and meeting rooms, at London Gatwick Hilton Hotel (tel: (0)1293 518 080) at the South Terminal and Le Meridien London Gatwick Hotel (tel: (0)1293 567 070) at the North Terminal. There is one executive lounge in the South Terminal, the Servisair Lounge (tel: (0)870 787 6877), and one in the North Terminal, the Aviance Alexandra Suite (tel: (0)1293 507 203).
Disabled Facilities
Special assistance is available for disabled passengers. There are ramps and/or lifts where necessary. Wheelchair push and provision and help with baggage are also provided on request. Reserved seating is located throughout the airport, and there is also designated parking for badge holders. There is an induction loop installed in the terminals, as well as disabled toilets. Passengers requiring assistance should inform the relevant airline before travelling. Travel-Care (tel: (0)1293 504 283) provides advice to anyone who needs assistance and is located in The Village, in the South Terminal.
Airport Hotels
Airport hotels include the London Gatwick Hilton Hotel (tel: (0)1293 518 080) at the South Terminal, and Le Meridien London Gatwick Hotel (tel: (0)1293 567 070 or (0)870 400 8494) at the North Terminal. The Travel Inn (tel: (0)870 238 3305) is situated a five-minute walk away from the North Terminal. Other nearby hotels include the Gatwick Moat House, Ramada Plaza Gatwick, Holiday Inn Gatwick, Renaissance Gatwick, Gatwick Belmont and Holidan Inn Express. A hotel reservation service is available at the British Hotel Reservation Centre desks (tel: (0)1293 504 605 or (0)800 783 4060) in the Arrivals area.
City
London
Full Airport Name
London Gatwick Airport
State or Province
England
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